§ MR. SIMONDSasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he will consider the propriety of making Tuesday the 27th instant a general Bank Holiday and not confining it to the Metropolis, as proposed?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, the Government were very desirous, as he stated on a former occasion, to consult the public wish and convenience on this matter. He was bound to say that up to that time the Government had no reason to suppose that there was a general desire throughout the country for any interference by public authority with the course of business, and the Government had not thought it their duty to force upon the country a thing which they did not think it desired itself in connection with the Thanksgiving.
§ In reply to Mr. BOWRING,
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he believed it would be a necessary part of the proceedings connected with the Thanksgiving to move the adjournment of the House from Monday till Wednesday.